Environmentalists object to bill promoting farm rights

10:21 PM,
Jan. 13, 2014

Soy beans are harvested from a field in Hancock County.

Written by

Stephanie Wang
stephanie.wang@indystar.com

A state lawmaker framed his legislation as a simple declaration of Indiana's support for agriculture: A right to farm.

But one clause in Senate Bill 186 could have implications that favor farmers' rights over other property owners' rights, environmentalists say - and allow for easy expansions of controversial factory farms that pose food safety and pollution concerns.

It's a legislative fight being waged in farm states across the country, with some going so far as considering constitutional amendments to protect the right to farm. ...